EE-1-L-84, EE-1-L-85, EE-1-L-86
Letter to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee Stroud, August 9, 1977
August 9, 1977
Dear Jim,
How are you and your family? I’m sure it comes as a surprise to you to receive my letter. I am a friend of Bobby’s [Bob Stroud] & Sharon’s [likely Amos]. Lately, they’ve been talking about socialism to me and I am for Socialism. People here are too selfish, discriminated because of racial differences, having more or less experiences, in knowledge differences using others to benefit themselves, they compete to win status & prestidge. I think it’s wrong. I think everybody should be treated equally and cooperated with each other. People are just too cruel. Many times in my life I didn’t think I could make it because I couldn’t bare seeing people being mistreated. I always in my heart I always want to help other in any way I can but I never expect reward or anything in return. It is helping others & making a better live for them that I have something to live for. I have done many volunteer work at the hospitals & senior center. While I was still volunteering I felt so good in my heart and never been so happy. Now I am working in the convalessent hospital I get depressed because the big people like supervisor & employers get in my back to do better work it make me feel I am being used because I the work @ do I get paid but I don’t get the warm feeling in my heart anymore. I don’t mind if I work rest of my life without paid just helping people & making a better life for them and only then I can die peacefully until then, I fear of death until I’ve done something for humanity. My wish is to fulfill my goal helping others. I am now studing to be a nurse at the City College of SF, hope to transfer to San Jose State shortly and get my degree there.
I met Bobby at the convalescent hospital. He’s been so good to me. He is so sincere and dedicated. We hope to marry someday. I love him very much. He has helped me to grow up and learn to be independent. I know this is a big step but I’m determined to be independent. I also hope to come to Guyana someday to help the people & to be with him. Once again, my love for Bobby can’t be express in words but only through feelings. I really wish I could tell you how I truly feel about Bobby. But words aren’t enough. I think a lot of Bobby, I care very much about him and I want the best for him and for him to be happy. He means so much to me. I guess I’ve said all what I have to say for now. I will write you again and let you know how I still feel about Socialism. At the present time I am reading article studying the book “Introductionto Socialism” and Sharon is showing me pictures and giving me all kind of information. I am really glad that I would tell you how I feel. It is not easy.
Take care.
Love
Daisy
P.S. If I could come to Guyana today I would because I have money to pay my own way. `
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EE-1-L-82 – L-83
Letter to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee Stroud, August 22, 1977
August 22, 1977
Hi Jim –
How are you? I assume Sharon has written to you about my seeing the slides on Guyana. But she still wants me to see more. I personally think that Guyana is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in pictures. I think it’s beautiful basically the people warm – friendly, they cooperate & share. I would like to come; I’m contemplating on coming either end of the year or early next year. Probably next year because I have one more semester at City College. I hope I can be a help when I come. I’m not intelligent nor talented, but I’ll do my best.
I also assume Sharon mentioned to you about my relationship with my parents. They disapproved of me leaving. (Continued)
They [Editor’s note: “think” has been crossed out] feel that I haven’t known Robert [Bob Stroud] long enough. But I told them this is what I want; I’ll go with or without their approval. Actually, they think that I’m leaving for L.A.; they don’t know anything about Guyana. That’s why they think I want to leave because of Robert.
I’ve finished the book Introduction to Socialism everything mentioned in the book made sense to me. I like Socialism; I feel that with Socialism people can be happy. There’ll be cooperation & sharing among people. It will get rid of classes between the rich & the poors; then people will be treated equally & no one will feel being an inferior. I like to say more but it’s time consuming. So, I’ll stop now. Take care.
Respectfully,
Daisy Lee
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EE-1-L-87
Undated letter to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee Stroud
Dear Father,
I am adjusting to this place quite well. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn nursing and teaching. Ever since I came here I learn a lot even from the kids. I can recalled I would get upset or depress at almost every little thing that I didn’t suit, but now I don’t (I was a spoil kid back in the States I had almost everything I wanted) I learned that I should appreciate what I have and I am not better than the others. is an honor to work with the children. I’m learning to be a better teacher because I never taught before. Whatever comments or criticism they have about me I want to hear so I can learn I love this place I told Bob this is my home. I have never been happier. I am forever grateful to you for you what have done and doing for me and the others. I would like to name each thing but I would take forever because I am thankful for everything! Thank you for saving Bob & many others & me
Thank you Father
Daisy Lee
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EE-1-L-88
Undated letter to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee Stroud
Daisy Lee
I feel Socialism is the primary solution to the problems of capitalism creates. I know what we’re doing is right. I’m sorry I came too late, but I am glad I’m here now to fight for our beliefs like the others. I’m sorry I don’t know much about Socialism. My beliefs of socialism is giving people of all races an opportunity to develop their talents & skills. It is as well as having peace in the world where everyone is treated equally and recognized as an individual. I must say I have never seen people as happy and cooperate with themselves, especially share so much love [word cut off] so concerned. [two illegible lines] distribution in profit. People don’t need more than they already have. Everyone should have enough and a [illegible word] chance to live peacefully without being bother. I believe under capitalism people are destroying themselves just gain profit or material to benefit themselves. Not to say the upper class uses the middle & lower & so on to make profit. People should be equal because god created us as an individual. – we all go through infancy, childhood, adolescent, adulthood and old age. Father, my vocabulary doesn’t contain the words to express my appreciation & thankfulness to you for making it possible for me to come here. I have never so happy in my life. I don’t regret leaving my [illegible word] although I [illegible word]
Respectfully
Daisy Lee
P.S.
Thank you for giving people a chance to express their feeling it wouldn’t have possible of Socialism giving a [illegible words] equally for people is If it happened been for you
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EE-1-L-125
Undated letter to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee Stroud
Dear Jim,
Thank you for saving me from getting hit by a tree the day I was out at the bone yard. Also, my thankfullness to you for all your healings and miracles. My apology or the delay in writing to thank you for trusting me to go down the river to help out the cause. It was a very experince particularly in becoming aggressive. I truly enjoed working aith Patty and all. I liked most was the immediate confrontation-right on the spot and group criticism-there was no hesitation to critize. Althoug, I have gone and accomplished a little I feel it wasn’t enough I could have done more. I felt I could have at least bring home some money from the hustlers, (who seemed to show interest in me because I am a church member) But I didn’t know how to approach them. I admit that was ignorant on my part. Because of my ignorance I let you and the family down especially during this time we need money bad. I am sorry, hope you will forgive me. The next time, I go I promise to try harder at least bring some money home if not a lot. I feel I let you down terribly after you brought me here and granted my wish. I I stated in the letters I wrote you back in the states-that I wanted to do humanitarian work. I want you to know if anytime you think I have to protemal to do particular work I will do it.
In the states I spent money on entertainment, clothing, books and mainly food. I went to high class stores such as I Magnin, Joseph Magnin, and Macy’s. Frequently I took my friends out. The money I used was my parents they supported me. My first pay job was in December 1976. Every check I received was deposit but only two checks were cashed. ONe to buy my dad a cassette recorder and the other one to pay for the clothes I bought to come here. [handwritten insertion: “I withdrew all the money from the bank when I came. from the withdrawal I paid for my plane far & any expense on the trip to come here.”] The rest I turned in. I regret I didn’t accept money offered from my mom when I left. Reason at that time I didn’t want to dependent on her anymore. I took everything that I bought with my money I didn’t want to have anything to do with them anymore. If you want to see my bank book I have it still. My parents are like all parents-they wrote and asked for my phone number and wanted to know when I’m returning to the states with Bob. Plus giving me the bull-shit saying they are getting old and worried not being able to see me.
I want to bring up the subject on procuring again although I was confronted on the floor for mamulating to go to town to procure. This time I’m not manupulating I don’t intend to. I want to go talk to some Chinese people for donation when I’m in town for medical appointment only. While I’m in town I want to do something productive to contribute to the cause. I have the confidence I can at least ge $50. Ifrthere’s Chinese speaking Chinese down the river I consider it too not just Georgetown. In concluding this letter I just want you to know I’m sorry I let you down. And making a request to procure I’ve already know the answer after my failure down ther river. Thankyou for your time.
Thank Jim,
Daisy Lee
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EE-1-L-80
Letter to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee Stroud, December 14, 1977
Dec. 14, 1977
Dear Dad,
Thank you for helping me and all you’ve done for us. Again our vocabulary doesn’t contain the words to express our deepest gratitude
Bob [Stroud] has mentioned about the girl he saw last time has was in town. I believed him he saiys he has no interest in her. As the matter of fact he was angry after learning she wrote him. He always tells me he loves & cares for me. I know he does through his attitude toward me & the way he treats me
Lastly we often talk about our past love live and our present live which help us to understand each other better Thank you Dad
Daisy
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EE-1-L-81
Letter to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee Stroud, January 13, 1978
[Editor’s Note: The handwriting on this letter is different from the previous one signed by Daisy.]
Jan. 13, 1978
Dear Dad,
Thank you for trusting me to let me spy on the Stones [Tim and Grace Stoen]. Whenever this kind of work is needed I will do it. When I was in Georgetown I had an idea – I would inside the pool sit quite close to them and listen to their conversation. If they say anything to me I’ll just pretend I don’t speal English. I just response in Chinese. While I’m listening I’ll be pretending to read my Chinese book. I feel I can do it, because they don’t know and never met me. [Editor’s note: “Also if something happens” has been crossed out.] At this time, I would like to have your permission to go procuring with Joan [Pursely] and Bobby [Stroud] at Linden when I go back. I will work hard – harder than this time. Thank you for the two-week in town – I had the opportunity to meet [Editor’s note: “many Chinese people and many Chinese t” has been crossed out] people , as well as [Editor’s note: “me being” has been crossed out] meeting many Chinese, practicing Chinese and able to get quite a big donation from them. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me.
Thank you Dad,
Daisy
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Request to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee, September 1978
EE-2-k-20a – 20b
Sept. 27, 1978
To Jim –
I, Daisy Lee, would like to be a barefoot doctor. Over a month now I’ve been working as Dr. [Larry] Schact’s assistant every Sunday. I must admit he is indeed a good teacher with patience to explain things to me. He has taught me a lot. Also a night when there is no mandatory of meeting or entertainment, I do treatment at the nurse’s office, plus I attend weekly nursing classes on Wednesday at 8:00 PM. I have quit teaching school and am now working in the apartment 1 in the morning & at work in stuffed animal project in the afternoon.
I have talked to Bob [Stroud] on the radio. I [am] grateful to you that he is doing better each day. I want you to know that in one of his letters he wrote me, he stated that “I will never forget this miracle!” & “Never will I be able to pay him back – I’m grateful!”
Also I’ve been in Jonestown a yr now on Sept 11th. I’ve seen more beauty, cooperation, caring, sharing, happiness & etc. than I thought before I came here. To say the least my health is 100% better here. I have been given opportunities to experience in the medical field – teaching dept – making dolls – procuring – going down the river – learning different languages – eating different kinds of food & etc. This may not sound meaningful but it sure means something to me because if it weren’t for you, never will I be given such an opportunity to experience in so many fields. All I want to thank you for everything. I am very happy here. If I were still back in the states, I would never be as happy & satisfied with my life now (meaning now I have a duty with my life to build up a communist society as we do now & hopefully in the near future we will be able to help others). I know US is getting worst each day from what you’re telling us but also [there is] nothing there. Yesterday I received a letter [from] my best friend back in the states: she tells me she couldn’t get a job part time & a summer job. She just goes to movies & shopping & spends time at her sister’s house, babysitting & go to college. She stated that her summer could have been better if you had a job. No doubt her life is empty. My life was just like hers before I knew you. I have so much to be grateful for to be here.
Thank you Jim
PS Sorry for the writing.
Please excuse me for not saying anything to you at times when I walk by because I see you’re quite busy I don’t want to disturb you.
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Letter of Concern to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee, October 1978
EE-2-k-18a – 18b
Oct. 1, 1978
To Jim:
As you already know that I work with the doctor every Sunday. Today Larry [Schacht] was frustrated. He stated that he did not want to see any patients today he was tired of people mainly medical people are seeking him for medical advice. He said he wish he could leave medicine for a month and go do some physical work. I don’t know if what I said to him is right. I told him that he is talking himself down – that he is a good doctor & has helped many people. I told him to look at the positive side. Then he agreed with me – smiled.
I also told [him] he is the only doctor here. And no one knows it better than he does. Then he talked down on himself that almost anyone can do this work. I said no he is a very good doctor, considering also he didn’t go through internship. And he has done a lot of good work.
I would like to say that I am very fortunate to be here as well as all of us. Because working with the doctor I see that the people from Port Kaituma who come for medical treatment have all kinds of problems such as vitamin deficiency, worms in the stool & etc. Today a couple & one man came to get treatment for gonorrhea. I & we should be more grateful that I don’t have these problems. Also every baby born there and all our children are in good health & none of our babies is born deformed. We also should be grateful to that. I must admit that I should be more grateful. I guess I have too much given to me here. An old saying you will not realize what good you have until it’s gone. Working on Sundays treating people from outside opens my eyes to see the goodness we have here. Especially all the very best extensive instruments you brought for the medical dept to detect every disease. I get into tears every time I look in the office & see all the equipment you provided us & I can see your love for us. Thank you.
Thank you Jim,
Daisy [Lee]
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